Dec
17
Free Beer at Otto's!
That’s right my Beer Geeky friends, FREE beer at Otto’s Pub & Brewery this Thursday night from 5pm to 10pm. The catch? Oh yes, there’s a catch.
The sweet soul that purchases a copy of my totally awesome and wonderfully cleaver book going LOCAL! that evening during my book signing, will receive a FREE beer of their choice compliments of my super cool pals at Otto’s! (I love them)
Just think about all those friends and family members that are sooo hard to buy for – my book will make them a fantastic gift. And just like the membership in the Jelly of the Month Club that cousin Eddy gave Clark in the movie Christmas Vacation, going LOCAL! is the gift that “just keeps on giving all year long.” :^)
Details:
going LOCAL! book signing
Otto’s Pub & Brewery, State College PA
This Thursday December 17th 5pm to 10pm
If you can’t make the signing, you can still get a book via this website. No free beer - sorry, but if you stop by my place sometime I’d be happy to crack open a couple bottles for us from the fridge.
Peace & Blessings,
Ken
Nov
10
Old School goes New School!
Wow, my folks (me actually) launched a website for their floor covering business! They don’t even own a computer, but felt (I felt) that they should have a presence on the World Wide Web. So they (I) created a simple site for them and have asked some of their customers to list them on angieslist.com
Business is down for them and the big box stores are crushing the mom & pops of this country. Please visit their site, and if you or ANYONE you know is looking for quality flooring and installation that’s unmatched, please pay them a personal visit to their store. My mom or dad will greet you and take care of you from start to finish. And don’t be surprised if my mom tries to sell you a copy of my book! She’s my best salesman!!
Thank You!
Ken
— Hull's Floor Covering Website
— Find Them
— Angie's List
Oct
24
Oct
25
Mt.Nittany Winery Harvest Festival
What a better way to spend an autumn day, than high on the southern slope of Mt. Nittany sipping wine (and buying a really cool book)? There, nestled among the vines, is a chalet filled with over 20 varieties of wonderful wines. From red to white, dry to sweet, you’ll find a wine that will embrace your tongue and warm your heart.
Please join me this weekend, Oct. 24 and 25, as Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery celebrates their 7th Annual Harvest Festival with free tastings, tours, local food artisans, and music. I’ll be there with my book, and if you can get me away from the tasting bar, I’ll be happy to sell you a copy or two. going LOCAL! makes a great gift for that person who’s hard to buy for, loves to eat, enjoys good beer, supports local businesses, digs roads trips, is adventurous, or is just sick of living in the basement of their mother’s house and needs to get out once in a while.
Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery
7th Annual Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 24th 10am to 5pm
Sunday, October 25th 12:30PM to 4pm
814-466-6373
— Winery Website
— Find it
— The Indie Press
Oct
17
Wellsboro Book Festival
going LOCAL! will be making an appearance at the Wellsboro Book Festival Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Wellsboro Firemans Annex! It's sponsored by From My Shelf Books.
From the book store: Bigger than any author event, better than just a book sale -- an event so big, we couldn't fit it in the bookstore! Join us, and over 30 local & regional authors at the Wellsboro Fireman's Annex! Co-sponsored with the WASD Educational Support Staff Union and the Teachers' Union. Featuring an enormous "Chinese" auction, prizes, a "read-to-me" corner for younger children, and thousands of used books for sale.
Come out and support a local bookstore and independent local authors! Hope to see you there!
For more info, see the event's Facebook page.
Jul
18
Selinsgrove Brew Festival
SOLD OUT!
Great words when you’re having a great beer festival. Bad words if you didn’t get tickets in time for a great beer festival. This Saturday I’ll be making my second appearance at the 2nd annual Selinsgrove Beer Festival. If you got tickets, way to go! Please stop by and see me!
Jul
09
Jul
11
Thank You & Thanks Herwig's
Thank you so much to all those who stopped by my table at Herwig's Austrian Bistro this past Arts Fest 2009! Thank you to Herwig's! It was a huge success for both.
Brandy, Gundi and Bernd Brandstatter along with Eric, "Balls," Justin and the gang treated me like a movie star and fed me like a king! I helped by eating their amazing food right out at my table which people stopped and wanted to know where it came from. I directed them inside and they were hooked! If you've never eaten at Herwig's, you're missing some of thee best food around. Made fresh from scratch every day, I dare you to find its equal here or abroad.
I sold a pile of books and had a great time. The weather was awesome and many of those who had purchased my book before stopped to pay me wonderful compliments!
My email about books being banned at both area arts fests sparked a huge response so I imagine you'll see authors and their "works of art" represented somewhere next year. I think i might just stay at Herwig's :^)
Please stop by Herwig's and support a family that supports the arts and our community. I love them and thank them sincerely.
Herwig’s Austrian Bistro
132 W. College Ave. State College
Jul
09
Books Banned at PA Arts Fests
Breaking News from
The Indie Press
The 2009 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the People’s Choice Festival, both “local arts” venues, have again banned the sale of books by local authors. Both festivals tout inclusion of many genres of arts including visual, performing, and culinary (food vendors), yet deny inclusion of literary arts!
Commentary:
So books are deemed less of an art than even brooms and Kettle Korn? Apparently so to the keepers of the “arts” keys of central PA.
I spent 20 years as a visual artist and received many accolades for my works – even twice as one of the top 50 artists at the CPFA. In my whole career I’ve sold fewer paintings than copies of my first book in its first year. How many books do you have in your home? How many art pieces? I imagine the ratio to be higher in favor of books.
And what about name and fame recognition of artists vs. authors? I would bet that most people can name more famous, even not-so-famous authors than artists. And dollars spent on books vs. art? Libraries, bookstores, and Amazon are proof (to me) that people buy way more books than art. And books appeal to a much broader crowd. Pretty much everyone from brainiac to the average Joe buys and reads books. And sometimes they talk about their books like it’s a part of their lives or has changed their lives in some way. Even my humble going LOCAL! book gets comments like that all the time. Yet I’m not considered worthy of representation in the arts festivals.
You would think that at least the People’s Choice (a festival I helped to form) would live up to their basic founding standards that local central PA artists and crafts people should be dutifully represented. They do not.
I love the broom guy at the People’s Choice don’t get me wrong – I buy his brooms every few years (they’re really good and really last!), but is that anymore of an art or craft than my book? And if it’s that I’m selling multiple copies of my book and not a “one of a kind” original, then why can artists and photographers sell prints? Even the broom guy sells hundreds of the same exact style of broom (I bought the same type of broom last year as I did ten years ago).
My point is, literature IS ART! According to Wikipedia “The arts encompasses visual arts, literature, the performing arts, including music, drama, film, dance, related media, and by some definitions, other areas such as fashion.” Dictionary.com defines art as, “The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.”
If our arts festivals want to truly represent “the arts,” they should include the literary arts as well. An amazing group of local authors, myself included, would like our books to be considered ”beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance,” or at least as worthy as brooms and Kettle Korn.
Ken Hull
At least one local couple considers books art. Herwig’s Austrian Bistro in downtown State College will be hosting Ken Hull and his book going LOCAL! in front of their restaurant during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
Herwig “Brandy” and Gundi Brandstatter have been supporters of local art since their arrival here from Austria in the early ‘80s. Their generosity and open doors have been a blessing to The Indie Press.
Please come and support a local artist/author and his local art/book at Herwig’s this week! Buy a book and eat THE BEST Austrian food this side of Vienna!
Where: Herwig’s Austrian Bistro
132 W. College Ave. State College
When: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am to 7pm
— The Indie Press
— Find Herwig's
Jul
03
State College Farmers’ Market
going LOCAL! @ the State College Farmers’ Market
Friday July 3rd, the cool folks of the downtown market have invited me to come hang out with them and have the opportunity to sell my book. Nice!
Please come and support our local farmers and your favorite local author :^) Buy some fresh food and pick up a really cool book about Unique Eats, Cool Pubs & Cozy Cafés of Central PA. My book makes a great gift, and with summer day trips as a way to offset the costs of big vacations, it’s a perfect travel companion.
I’ll be near the top of the market (hopefully near the Amish homemade ice cream).
State College Farmers’ Market
Locust Lane, Downtown
Friday July 3rd
11:30am to 5:30pm
grabbing LETTUCE & going LOCAL!
Ken
— State College Market Website
May
30
Books, Pints & Pets Fest
going LOCAL!
Book Signing Event & Beer Tasting to Benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society
Craft brew festivals have become very popular around the country. Locally, we have some great ones including the second annual fest called Pints for Pets. This year, in conjunction with the Altoona Curve and to benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, I’ll be there selling my book and promoting my two new ones alongside an amazing 50+ craft breweries from all over the planet (I love my job!)
The festival will take place this Saturday, May 30, with Session 1 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and Session 2 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Blair County Ballpark. It completely sold out last year so I recommend you act NOW!
Please join me and come out to the ballpark to enjoy some of the finest craft brews around, buy my book or pre-order the new ones, and help our little furry friends in need (the best part)!
Meow,
Ken
Saturday May 30th
Blair Co. Ballpark – Home of the Altoona Curve
Session 1 – Noon to 3
Session 2 – 4:30 to 7:30
— Pints for Pets Website
— Find it
May
25
Memorial Day in Historic Boalsburg
My little village of Boalsburg is the birthplace of Memorial Day! In celebration, the whole town + thousands of others turn out and walk Main St. during a day filled with vendors, food, music, demonstrations, and then an old fashion processional march to the cemetery where it all started back in 1864.
I’ll be out in front of my Main St. house under a white tent with my books. My girlfriend Heather will be having an Open House of her beautiful yoga studio Abba Yoga in the house itself. So our corner of Main & Academy Streets will be an intersection of the arts!
Please stop by, pick up a few books, learn about the two new ones coming out, visit the coolest yoga studio around, and meet the sweetest & best yoga instructor ever.
When: Memorial Day May 25th 2009
Where: 203 East Main Street, Historic Boalsburg Village
Time: 9am to 5pm
Parking: Good Luck :^)
— BoalsburgCentral.com
— Day's Events
— Abba Yoga
May
05
going LOCAL! goes au Naturale
going LOCAL! goes au Naturale
at the
Boalsburg Farmers’ Market
This Tuesday May 5th, our wonderful Boalsburg Farmers’ Market will once again return to nature at the PA Military Museum grounds for another outdoor market season. After a very successful season indoors at the Boalsburg Fire Hall, it’s time to get back outside! The Fire Hall was a wonderful venue and we thank the folks there for hosting a great winter market place.
Tomorrow though, the market will again be au Naturale and I will be there as a guest vendor with my book. This will be the first of seven appearances I’ll have at the market this year as I’ll be there the first Tuesday of each month through November. In addition, I’ve been asked to organize two events this summer – an Art at the Market day and a Local Restaurants day. Both events will be detailed in future editions.
What: going LOCAL! @ The Boalsburg Farmers’ Market
Where: The PA Military Museum grounds Rt. 322 Boalsburg
When: Tomorrow, May 5th from 2pm to 6pm
Books are selling out fast – stop by and get a copy. Thanks!
— Boalsburg Farmers's Market Website
Apr
25
Apr
26
Mt. Nittany Winery Weekend
Hey Ya'll! Do you love wine? Do you love cheese? Do you love Me? If you answered yes to any of these, you've got to come out to the winery and sample all three. It's PSU Blue & White weekend @ the Mt. Nittany Winery, and even though I'm not a big football fan, I know a good time when I see one! You should too!
Come On Up!!! (not down as it's on the side of a mountain) :^)
Saturday 10 to 5
Sunday 12:30 to 4
Apr
23
going LOCAL! to help WPSU
I’ve just been given a great opportunity to serve our community and help the cause of public broadcasting, while at the same time spreading the word about my book! WPSU needs a group to be on-air phone volunteers during a special campaign to raise funds for their broadcasting. It seems contributions were down this spring and we need to help them! In return, they will plug the group on-air and via their website. This is chance to get going LOCAL! some air time and maybe plug the two upcoming books. But, I can't do it alone.
Please, please, please consider coming onboard to help. You’ll be doing a good deed for my book AND our community – great combo! Go the link below, download the file to read what it’s all about it, them email me asap to let me know you’re in. They need to know soon. We need only eight of you.
Thank you & keep going LOCAL!
Ken
ken@kenhull.com
— Downloadable File: WPSU Volenteer Guide
Jan
01
going LOCAL! in Raystown Lake Country
The Raystown Lake area which is part of The Alleghenies & Huntingdon County Tourism Boards features me in their 2009 Visitors Guide! They devoted all of page 34 to my take on dinning in Huntingdon Co. including a photo of me and of my book cover. Please check it out at the links below and ask for a copy of the 2009 guide. It’s packed with all kinds of great stuff to do this summer and all season, including some amazing trails to hike or bike, not to mention the HUGE lake right there!
— raystown.org/places to eat
— Find Raystown Lake
— More Maps
Apr
14
More Breaking News to Come!
Yes, another piece of Big News to hit the web-waves!
STAY TUNED like this Lovely Lady! She's knows what's cool.
Apr
01
Breaking News! Read All About It!
Greetings!
I’m posting this news with great excitement and joy and hoping you will be excited too! God sure has blessed me with your past support as an artist and now in my endeavors as an author. Thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of your life with my work. A fellow artist said "we (artists) are truly blessed because our work is a tangible legacy that will remain long after we’re gone." Through your continuing support, I’ve been able to add to this legacy – not only providing a means to a living for me, but hopefully enriching your life as well – thank you.
Now the news: I’ve been hard at work on the much requested volume II of going LOCAL! Not only that, but I’m writing a third book simultaneously and both are set to be published and out by November of this year! As most of you know, it all started back in December 2007 when I published my first book that has inspired/guided folks to support locally owned places to eat instead of always opting for a chain place. This book has been very popular and is almost sold out of the 5,000 copies and was the #5 best selling book last summer at the State College PA Barnes & Noble Bookstore!
Because of its success for both me and the locally owned places I wrote about, I heard from thousands of readers offering requests and suggestions for new places. And since there were many places I couldn’t fit in the first one, I decided another book was in order. Volume II will be subtitled A Second Helping and will feature all new restaurants, pubs, and cafés with the edition of locally owned goods and services too. What that means is I will do a few smaller listings about businesses through out the region where you can buy stuff or get a service. For example, a haircut from Keene’s Barbershop in Boalsburg (family for over 50 years), or shopping at Sweitzer’s Hardware in Old Fort (rather than going to Schmowe’s or Home Dumpot which are both killing the local marketplace).
Working on my first book, I realized that eating out locally was just part of the concept of supporting locals, finding that the source of this concept was much deeper – deeper in the ground all around us. Many of the places I wrote about were supporting local producers of meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Not only did these places serve meals with far better taste and way better for you, but they also attracted more customers who were “hungry” for this high quality and healthier food. More and more I was seeing menus featuring “Locally Raised…” or “Locally Grown…” Already deep into book two, I was moved to write a third book about supporting locally grown, raised and produced foods right here in central PA.
I’m so excited to announce growing LOCAL! An Adventurer’s Guide for the Modern Hunter Gatherer; Farmers’ Markets, Family Farms and Eating Fresh in Central Pennsylvania.
Where going LOCAL! A Second Helping is a continuation of supporting locally owned businesses by eating out; this new book will be about eating in – “seeding” into folks the beauty of supporting local farmers and providers to bring it all home so you can eat fresh and well around your own table.
In order to produce these two new books and have them be successful for those I’m writing about as well as myself, I’m going to need some help – either in just getting the word out, funding assistance, or whatever help I can get. I’m a one guy operation as you know – writer, publisher (The Indie Press), marketer, distributor, sales person, etc. For growing LOCAL! PASA (PA Association for Sustainable Ag) is interested in helping me in some capacity and I’ve sent feelers out to the PA Dept of Agriculture. But what would really help me right now is support from you by pre-ordering one or both new books.
I have no hang-ups about sharing this kind of stuff, but my first book cost me over $23,000 to produce (I had to get a loan to cover it). I’m expecting these two books to be close to double that amount. If I have any chance of publishing them, I’ll need some major capital to proceed and pre-orders will certainly help. At the very least I hope you will spread the word and forward this to anyone who would be interested. Most of you have been super supportive and I praise God for you. I’ve been blessed beyond what I deserve and am confident that God will continue to provide regardless.
To thank you in advance, all pre-ordered books will be signed and a discount will be offered if a Two Book Set is ordered. All those who support my pre-order offer will be invited to a very special pre-release party (TBA) where you can pick up your books and celebrate with me. For those of you who can’t make the party or are buying for someone out of town, yours will be shipped at a discounted rate. Prices are listed below and payment can be made by check and mailed to me or by PayPal via this website. Note: PayPal orders automatically calculate shipping. I recommend paying by check if you're picking your books up in person.
Thank you for all your past support and for enduring this long announcement, but I had so much to tell you that I just couldn’t do it in a couple sentences (go figure).
I'm looking forward to your support. Thanks Again!
Ken
going LOCAL! A Second Helping $20.00 each
growing LOCAL! An Adventurer’s Guide for the Modern Hunter Gatherer $20.00 each
Two Book Set (one each) $38.00
Please use the order form below if paying by check.
— Downloadable File: Pre-Order Order Form (Checks Only)
TBA
Big News to Come!
It's Big! Really Big!
No Fooling :^)
Mar
24
Awesome Internet Workshop
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If you have an internet site to promote or sell anything, and even if it's an awesome site (like mine), using it to its fullest capacity to reach as many people as possible is key. This woman is a genius!
At a workshop she did at our local visitor's center, she actually projected my website on the big screen as an example of "a really great site." She also commented on my book and how well I did at Barnes & Noble, so I know she really checked it out. She even gave me one of her books because she used my site in her presentation - cool!
So if you want to improve your website exposure, increase traffic, and hopefully sales, you've got to check out her site and buy her books.
Dec
18
Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks
Ah… Elk Creek Café + Aleworks, a jewel in an Eden-like valley. Seriously, this place is awesome. I was just there the other night and between the beer and food, I thought about moving to Penns Valley! The vibe there is groovy yet peaceful, fun yet relaxing, simple but intelligent and definitely more artsy than fartsy.
This will be my first book signing there and we hope to pack em in! Please come out and enjoy a place that you will want to return to many times, pick up a book and some as gifts, have a great meal with a great beer to accompany it. As they say down there… “It’s a Valley Thing.”
Thursday, December 18th
4pm to 10pm
Elk Creek Café + Aleworks
100 W. Main St.
Millheim, PA 16854
814-349-8850
Sep
17
PA State Tourism Goes Local!
This week the PA State Tourism Office launched the brand new version of their website (the one on all the PA license plates). It’s a narrative format in which they feature four regions of the state and you pick one to hear a story about that region. Well, I was asked to be one of the voices for the Happy Valley region (marked on the map by a football and helmet)! Because this is a seasonal format, and this is the fall season, the emphasis is on Penn State football. But, if you listen through that entire hubbub, they finally get to the “best” part – ME! They give ma a wonderful introduction and I talk about a couple places in my book as well as some cool things to do while in the area. They also have some awesome graphics of my logo and book cover AND plug the my going LOCAL website!!!
PA Adventure.com, the blog version of the new site, is taking excerpts from my book to highlight central PA places to eat and drink. I’m a “Guest Blogger” and every couple weeks they will add a new place that I’ve written about. This link below from August when PA Adventure launched is on Pump Station Café here in Boalsburg.
Wow! This is great exposure for my book and great opportunities for visits for all those places in my book. The more folks who know about my book, the more they’ll buy it, and the more support it will bring to our wonderful locally-owned restaurants, pubs and cafés!
Please take a few minutes and go their website below. Please be patient though, it takes a little bit to get to the “best” part.
Enjoy!
— PA State Website for Happy Valley
— PA Adventures Site for The Pump Station Cafe
Sep
13
Brews in the Barn
Raise a glass for the arts!
This Saturday, The Millbrook Playhouse will be hosting their first ever Brews in the Barn beer festival. Let’s face it, the arts need help. As an artist/author, I know all too well the challenges of making ends meet by pursuing a passion in the arts. A playhouse with all kinds of expenses, let alone one in an old barn, must have a tough time keeping it all going. Plus, trying to provide the community with quality shows and entertainment requires support outside their own means. Thank goodness for some locals who love the arts and love the art of beer making!
Brews in the Barn is a total fundraiser. 100% of the ticket price will go directly to The Millbrook Playhouse which is governed by a non-profit corporation with a volunteer board of directors. Please come, buy a ticket, raise a glass, and help continue this unique barn theatre, having operated as a professional summer stock theatre since 1963.
Cheers!
FYI: Otto’s, Elk Creek & Bullfrog breweries will be there among others!
Brews in the Barn – a beer tasting event
Saturday, September 13th 2008
4pm - 8pm
All Tickets: $35 and can be purchased through the website below
Admission Includes:
*Live Entertainment
*Picnic Style Dinner
*Souvenir Beer Glass
Samples of hundreds of beers including local micro-breweries.
— Playhouse Website
— Purchase Tickets
— Find the Playhouse
Sep
13
Indie-Bound Fest at East-West
East-West Crossings is a wonderful tea house, bookstore, and art gallery that I feature in my book. Starting this September they're beginning a series of events and activities called Indie-Bound Festival at East-West recognizing local artists, musicians, writers, poets and scholars. These events include performances, discussions, lectures, book-signings and exhibits. They’re doing this to bring together the many dimensions of the immense talent in the centre region. Their efforts are inspired by the initiatives of the American Book Association to recognize and promote independent booksellers and local community-oriented businesses such as East-West Crossings.
This Saturday the 13th I will be there with my book doing a signing and talk. I encourage you to come by, pick up a book for yourself or as a gift, enjoy an amazing tea, and stroll through the bookstore and gallery.
All “Indie-Bound Festival” events this fall will be announced on their website which is posted below.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of you this Saturday!
East-West Crossing
12 noon to 2 pm
Sep
09
Nittany Valley Writers Network
“The Nittany Valley Writers Network is a sharing, supportive, inspiring community linking local writers of all genres and levels of experience: expert and novice . . . published and hopeful.” This is a quote from their website which I feel says it all.
I came to this group as a novice writer seeking help, direction, connections and inspiration. I found all that, plus a great group of folks who made me feel welcomed. Jack Williams, an old friend of mine, invited me to my first meeting where I sheepishly told of an idea I had for a book about local eateries. Everyone was interested and gave me ideas on how I might find everything from basic writing style help to getting an editor. I went to several meetings, gleaned what I could, and like the indie I am, set out on my own.
Now a little over a year later I’ve been asked to come back to the group as a publish author and guest speaker! What an honor. It’s so cool that I get to speak to and inspire the very group that inspired and helped me. Please come and hear about the inspiration, the time, and the ins and outs of the process for writing a book about my culinary journeys in Central Pennsylvania.
Tuesday September 2nd
7pm
Schlow Centre Region Library, 200 S. Allen Street, State College
Aug
05
Sep
02
Boalsburg Farmers Market
Tuesdays is the annual outdoor Boalsburg Farmers Market held at the PA 28th Division Military Museum grounds. This year I'll be a guest there once a month through the end of October. I'll post my dates two months out.
Something else that is new for this year is an Artists Day which will happen September 2nd.
This Market has all the wonderful offerings as its sister event in State College but without the congestion and parking problems.
Please come this week and every Tuesday to fill your eco-friendly, re-usable bags with organic, farm fresh, lovingly grown and produced goodness from the heart of the land we’ve been given to care for, enjoy and live from.
Boalsburg Farmers Market
PA 28th Division Military Museum along business Rt. 322
Tuesdays from 2pm to 6pm
— Slow Food Website
— Find the Museum Grounds
Apr
13
Front Page News Again!
Wow! I was blown away when my local paper the Centre Daily Times featured me on the front cover of their Living section. I knew an article was in the works by a lovely young woman Jennie Daley, a freelance writer I met at a friend’s place, but didn’t know when in would appear and how big it would be. Well the timing was perfect – right before my book signing at Barnes & Noble – and the size of the piece was HUGE!
A big thank you to the CDT, Jennie and photographer Nabil Mark.
Apr
04
Great Posting on Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Website!
From Denny's website:
"Author Ken Hull stopped by the Pub on April 4th for a book signing, "Going Local: An Adventurer's Guide to Uniqe Eats, Cool Pubs and Cozy Cafes of Central Pennsylvania" is a great read. For more information check out his website."
That along with the photo was posted by Logan, Denny's web guy. This is just one more example of how cool and supportive these folks in Clearfield are. I love this place and you will too.
— Denny's Website
— Map to Denny's
Mar
14
Front Page News!!!
Wow! Friday March 14th the Lock Haven Express did a front page feature story on my book! Matt Connor wrote a really great piece and the response by the community was amazing and I had two book signings there on Saturday the 15th. D. Dashem Books, a little locally owned bookstore on Main St. hosted the first one and folks really came out. Donna and Karen the owners treated me so well and the event was a huge success for both of us.
Later that evening Donnie Powers of The Old Corner Grill and Pub had me at his place for a signing and that one was great too! His place is normally buzzing with happy patrons and this evening was no exception. I sold a bunch of books and enjoyed a great dinner while talking with folks and having a fun time.
Jan
15
Governor Rendell goes LOCAL!
I had a great opportunity to give a copy of my book to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell at a press conference at the capital. I was there along with many other citizens from across PA to support him in his legislation for a health care reform bill called Cover All Pennsylvanians CAP (link below). This is an amazing effort by our Governor to bring health care to everyone in the state no matter what. He is passionate about our health and getting the care we need – especially those who can’t afford it like me. Please support him and all those who need proper health care in Pennsylvania. And, maybe you’ll see him enjoying some good eats or beer at one of the places in my book!
— Rendell's Health Care Reform website
Dec
12
Anne Quinn Corr honors my book in the Centre Daily Times
Anne Quinn Corr, a local food guru, celebrated author and just a cool person came to my book release party at Herwig’s. She bought a book and took the time to chat with me over a beer from Otto’s. She left, and I was honored to have had her attend my event and buy a book to boot!
Well this morning my mom calls me and says “Hey son, nice spread in the paper.” I said “What, what spread?” She then went on to tell me of this huge photo spread and nice article that Ann Quinn Corr wrote. I was super excited and bolted to the unimart in my jammies just to check it out.
Sure enough, there was practically a whole page with huge photos that Ann must have taken with some sort of “James Bond” camera hidden in a mini telephone. Oh wait. Uh, I think that’s a cell phone (don’t have one). Anyway, I didn’t know she was taking my picture or planning to submit such a grand piece to the CDT.
I’ve included the link, but it is in no way what the real paper one was. If you can get a copy you’ll see.
Thank you Anne!
(I’ve put her book in my Cool Links)
Dec
03
going LOCAL! on TV!!!
Monday December 3rd at 5:30 pm me and my book going LOCAL! was featured on a weekly PBS TV show called Pennsylvania Inside Out. This is a show produced and hosted by local Patty Satalia and WPSX here at Penn State.
The interview was literally 15 minutes after I had a real copy of my book. I was sweating bullets waiting for one book to arrive via FedEx so that I would have it for the show. Host Patty Satalia was very cool and asked great questions even though she had only a .pdf file to read from days before.
— PA Inside Out, Internet Stream of Show
Nov
19
I'm on WPSU!
Starting the week of Nov.19th, going LOCAL! hits the airwaves of WPSU radio in an underwriting ad campaign. Please listen. Please support.
17
Free Beer at Otto's!
That’s right my Beer Geeky friends, FREE beer at Otto’s Pub & Brewery this Thursday night from 5pm to 10pm. The catch? Oh yes, there’s a catch.
The sweet soul that purchases a copy of my totally awesome and wonderfully cleaver book going LOCAL! that evening during my book signing, will receive a FREE beer of their choice compliments of my super cool pals at Otto’s! (I love them)
Just think about all those friends and family members that are sooo hard to buy for – my book will make them a fantastic gift. And just like the membership in the Jelly of the Month Club that cousin Eddy gave Clark in the movie Christmas Vacation, going LOCAL! is the gift that “just keeps on giving all year long.” :^)
Details:
going LOCAL! book signing
Otto’s Pub & Brewery, State College PA
This Thursday December 17th 5pm to 10pm
If you can’t make the signing, you can still get a book via this website. No free beer - sorry, but if you stop by my place sometime I’d be happy to crack open a couple bottles for us from the fridge.
Peace & Blessings,
Ken
10
Old School goes New School!
Wow, my folks (me actually) launched a website for their floor covering business! They don’t even own a computer, but felt (I felt) that they should have a presence on the World Wide Web. So they (I) created a simple site for them and have asked some of their customers to list them on angieslist.com
Business is down for them and the big box stores are crushing the mom & pops of this country. Please visit their site, and if you or ANYONE you know is looking for quality flooring and installation that’s unmatched, please pay them a personal visit to their store. My mom or dad will greet you and take care of you from start to finish. And don’t be surprised if my mom tries to sell you a copy of my book! She’s my best salesman!!
Thank You!
Ken
— Hull's Floor Covering Website
— Find Them
— Angie's List
24
25
Mt.Nittany Winery Harvest Festival
What a better way to spend an autumn day, than high on the southern slope of Mt. Nittany sipping wine (and buying a really cool book)? There, nestled among the vines, is a chalet filled with over 20 varieties of wonderful wines. From red to white, dry to sweet, you’ll find a wine that will embrace your tongue and warm your heart.
Please join me this weekend, Oct. 24 and 25, as Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery celebrates their 7th Annual Harvest Festival with free tastings, tours, local food artisans, and music. I’ll be there with my book, and if you can get me away from the tasting bar, I’ll be happy to sell you a copy or two. going LOCAL! makes a great gift for that person who’s hard to buy for, loves to eat, enjoys good beer, supports local businesses, digs roads trips, is adventurous, or is just sick of living in the basement of their mother’s house and needs to get out once in a while.
Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery
7th Annual Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 24th 10am to 5pm
Sunday, October 25th 12:30PM to 4pm
814-466-6373
— Winery Website
— Find it
— The Indie Press
17
Wellsboro Book Festival
going LOCAL! will be making an appearance at the Wellsboro Book Festival Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Wellsboro Firemans Annex! It's sponsored by From My Shelf Books.
From the book store: Bigger than any author event, better than just a book sale -- an event so big, we couldn't fit it in the bookstore! Join us, and over 30 local & regional authors at the Wellsboro Fireman's Annex! Co-sponsored with the WASD Educational Support Staff Union and the Teachers' Union. Featuring an enormous "Chinese" auction, prizes, a "read-to-me" corner for younger children, and thousands of used books for sale.
Come out and support a local bookstore and independent local authors! Hope to see you there!
For more info, see the event's Facebook page.
18
Selinsgrove Brew Festival
SOLD OUT!
Great words when you’re having a great beer festival. Bad words if you didn’t get tickets in time for a great beer festival. This Saturday I’ll be making my second appearance at the 2nd annual Selinsgrove Beer Festival. If you got tickets, way to go! Please stop by and see me!
09
11
Thank You & Thanks Herwig's
Thank you so much to all those who stopped by my table at Herwig's Austrian Bistro this past Arts Fest 2009! Thank you to Herwig's! It was a huge success for both.
Brandy, Gundi and Bernd Brandstatter along with Eric, "Balls," Justin and the gang treated me like a movie star and fed me like a king! I helped by eating their amazing food right out at my table which people stopped and wanted to know where it came from. I directed them inside and they were hooked! If you've never eaten at Herwig's, you're missing some of thee best food around. Made fresh from scratch every day, I dare you to find its equal here or abroad.
I sold a pile of books and had a great time. The weather was awesome and many of those who had purchased my book before stopped to pay me wonderful compliments!
My email about books being banned at both area arts fests sparked a huge response so I imagine you'll see authors and their "works of art" represented somewhere next year. I think i might just stay at Herwig's :^)
Please stop by Herwig's and support a family that supports the arts and our community. I love them and thank them sincerely.
Herwig’s Austrian Bistro
132 W. College Ave. State College
09
Books Banned at PA Arts Fests
Breaking News from
The Indie Press
The 2009 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and the People’s Choice Festival, both “local arts” venues, have again banned the sale of books by local authors. Both festivals tout inclusion of many genres of arts including visual, performing, and culinary (food vendors), yet deny inclusion of literary arts!
Commentary:
So books are deemed less of an art than even brooms and Kettle Korn? Apparently so to the keepers of the “arts” keys of central PA.
I spent 20 years as a visual artist and received many accolades for my works – even twice as one of the top 50 artists at the CPFA. In my whole career I’ve sold fewer paintings than copies of my first book in its first year. How many books do you have in your home? How many art pieces? I imagine the ratio to be higher in favor of books.
And what about name and fame recognition of artists vs. authors? I would bet that most people can name more famous, even not-so-famous authors than artists. And dollars spent on books vs. art? Libraries, bookstores, and Amazon are proof (to me) that people buy way more books than art. And books appeal to a much broader crowd. Pretty much everyone from brainiac to the average Joe buys and reads books. And sometimes they talk about their books like it’s a part of their lives or has changed their lives in some way. Even my humble going LOCAL! book gets comments like that all the time. Yet I’m not considered worthy of representation in the arts festivals.
You would think that at least the People’s Choice (a festival I helped to form) would live up to their basic founding standards that local central PA artists and crafts people should be dutifully represented. They do not.
I love the broom guy at the People’s Choice don’t get me wrong – I buy his brooms every few years (they’re really good and really last!), but is that anymore of an art or craft than my book? And if it’s that I’m selling multiple copies of my book and not a “one of a kind” original, then why can artists and photographers sell prints? Even the broom guy sells hundreds of the same exact style of broom (I bought the same type of broom last year as I did ten years ago).
My point is, literature IS ART! According to Wikipedia “The arts encompasses visual arts, literature, the performing arts, including music, drama, film, dance, related media, and by some definitions, other areas such as fashion.” Dictionary.com defines art as, “The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.”
If our arts festivals want to truly represent “the arts,” they should include the literary arts as well. An amazing group of local authors, myself included, would like our books to be considered ”beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance,” or at least as worthy as brooms and Kettle Korn.
Ken Hull
At least one local couple considers books art. Herwig’s Austrian Bistro in downtown State College will be hosting Ken Hull and his book going LOCAL! in front of their restaurant during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
Herwig “Brandy” and Gundi Brandstatter have been supporters of local art since their arrival here from Austria in the early ‘80s. Their generosity and open doors have been a blessing to The Indie Press.
Please come and support a local artist/author and his local art/book at Herwig’s this week! Buy a book and eat THE BEST Austrian food this side of Vienna!
Where: Herwig’s Austrian Bistro
132 W. College Ave. State College
When: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am to 7pm
— The Indie Press
— Find Herwig's
03
State College Farmers’ Market
going LOCAL! @ the State College Farmers’ Market
Friday July 3rd, the cool folks of the downtown market have invited me to come hang out with them and have the opportunity to sell my book. Nice!
Please come and support our local farmers and your favorite local author :^) Buy some fresh food and pick up a really cool book about Unique Eats, Cool Pubs & Cozy Cafés of Central PA. My book makes a great gift, and with summer day trips as a way to offset the costs of big vacations, it’s a perfect travel companion.
I’ll be near the top of the market (hopefully near the Amish homemade ice cream).
State College Farmers’ Market
Locust Lane, Downtown
Friday July 3rd
11:30am to 5:30pm
grabbing LETTUCE & going LOCAL!
Ken
— State College Market Website
30
Books, Pints & Pets Fest
going LOCAL!
Book Signing Event & Beer Tasting to Benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society
Craft brew festivals have become very popular around the country. Locally, we have some great ones including the second annual fest called Pints for Pets. This year, in conjunction with the Altoona Curve and to benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, I’ll be there selling my book and promoting my two new ones alongside an amazing 50+ craft breweries from all over the planet (I love my job!)
The festival will take place this Saturday, May 30, with Session 1 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and Session 2 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Blair County Ballpark. It completely sold out last year so I recommend you act NOW!
Please join me and come out to the ballpark to enjoy some of the finest craft brews around, buy my book or pre-order the new ones, and help our little furry friends in need (the best part)!
Meow,
Ken
Saturday May 30th
Blair Co. Ballpark – Home of the Altoona Curve
Session 1 – Noon to 3
Session 2 – 4:30 to 7:30
— Pints for Pets Website
— Find it
25
Memorial Day in Historic Boalsburg
My little village of Boalsburg is the birthplace of Memorial Day! In celebration, the whole town + thousands of others turn out and walk Main St. during a day filled with vendors, food, music, demonstrations, and then an old fashion processional march to the cemetery where it all started back in 1864.
I’ll be out in front of my Main St. house under a white tent with my books. My girlfriend Heather will be having an Open House of her beautiful yoga studio Abba Yoga in the house itself. So our corner of Main & Academy Streets will be an intersection of the arts!
Please stop by, pick up a few books, learn about the two new ones coming out, visit the coolest yoga studio around, and meet the sweetest & best yoga instructor ever.
When: Memorial Day May 25th 2009
Where: 203 East Main Street, Historic Boalsburg Village
Time: 9am to 5pm
Parking: Good Luck :^)
— BoalsburgCentral.com
— Day's Events
— Abba Yoga
05
going LOCAL! goes au Naturale
going LOCAL! goes au Naturale
at the
Boalsburg Farmers’ Market
This Tuesday May 5th, our wonderful Boalsburg Farmers’ Market will once again return to nature at the PA Military Museum grounds for another outdoor market season. After a very successful season indoors at the Boalsburg Fire Hall, it’s time to get back outside! The Fire Hall was a wonderful venue and we thank the folks there for hosting a great winter market place.
Tomorrow though, the market will again be au Naturale and I will be there as a guest vendor with my book. This will be the first of seven appearances I’ll have at the market this year as I’ll be there the first Tuesday of each month through November. In addition, I’ve been asked to organize two events this summer – an Art at the Market day and a Local Restaurants day. Both events will be detailed in future editions.
What: going LOCAL! @ The Boalsburg Farmers’ Market
Where: The PA Military Museum grounds Rt. 322 Boalsburg
When: Tomorrow, May 5th from 2pm to 6pm
Books are selling out fast – stop by and get a copy. Thanks!
— Boalsburg Farmers's Market Website
25
26
Mt. Nittany Winery Weekend
Hey Ya'll! Do you love wine? Do you love cheese? Do you love Me? If you answered yes to any of these, you've got to come out to the winery and sample all three. It's PSU Blue & White weekend @ the Mt. Nittany Winery, and even though I'm not a big football fan, I know a good time when I see one! You should too!
Come On Up!!! (not down as it's on the side of a mountain) :^)
Saturday 10 to 5
Sunday 12:30 to 4
23
going LOCAL! to help WPSU
I’ve just been given a great opportunity to serve our community and help the cause of public broadcasting, while at the same time spreading the word about my book! WPSU needs a group to be on-air phone volunteers during a special campaign to raise funds for their broadcasting. It seems contributions were down this spring and we need to help them! In return, they will plug the group on-air and via their website. This is chance to get going LOCAL! some air time and maybe plug the two upcoming books. But, I can't do it alone.
Please, please, please consider coming onboard to help. You’ll be doing a good deed for my book AND our community – great combo! Go the link below, download the file to read what it’s all about it, them email me asap to let me know you’re in. They need to know soon. We need only eight of you.
Thank you & keep going LOCAL!
Ken
ken@kenhull.com
— Downloadable File: WPSU Volenteer Guide
01
going LOCAL! in Raystown Lake Country
The Raystown Lake area which is part of The Alleghenies & Huntingdon County Tourism Boards features me in their 2009 Visitors Guide! They devoted all of page 34 to my take on dinning in Huntingdon Co. including a photo of me and of my book cover. Please check it out at the links below and ask for a copy of the 2009 guide. It’s packed with all kinds of great stuff to do this summer and all season, including some amazing trails to hike or bike, not to mention the HUGE lake right there!
— raystown.org/places to eat
— Find Raystown Lake
— More Maps
14
More Breaking News to Come!
Yes, another piece of Big News to hit the web-waves!
STAY TUNED like this Lovely Lady! She's knows what's cool.
01
Breaking News! Read All About It!
Greetings!
I’m posting this news with great excitement and joy and hoping you will be excited too! God sure has blessed me with your past support as an artist and now in my endeavors as an author. Thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of your life with my work. A fellow artist said "we (artists) are truly blessed because our work is a tangible legacy that will remain long after we’re gone." Through your continuing support, I’ve been able to add to this legacy – not only providing a means to a living for me, but hopefully enriching your life as well – thank you.
Now the news: I’ve been hard at work on the much requested volume II of going LOCAL! Not only that, but I’m writing a third book simultaneously and both are set to be published and out by November of this year! As most of you know, it all started back in December 2007 when I published my first book that has inspired/guided folks to support locally owned places to eat instead of always opting for a chain place. This book has been very popular and is almost sold out of the 5,000 copies and was the #5 best selling book last summer at the State College PA Barnes & Noble Bookstore!
Because of its success for both me and the locally owned places I wrote about, I heard from thousands of readers offering requests and suggestions for new places. And since there were many places I couldn’t fit in the first one, I decided another book was in order. Volume II will be subtitled A Second Helping and will feature all new restaurants, pubs, and cafés with the edition of locally owned goods and services too. What that means is I will do a few smaller listings about businesses through out the region where you can buy stuff or get a service. For example, a haircut from Keene’s Barbershop in Boalsburg (family for over 50 years), or shopping at Sweitzer’s Hardware in Old Fort (rather than going to Schmowe’s or Home Dumpot which are both killing the local marketplace).
Working on my first book, I realized that eating out locally was just part of the concept of supporting locals, finding that the source of this concept was much deeper – deeper in the ground all around us. Many of the places I wrote about were supporting local producers of meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Not only did these places serve meals with far better taste and way better for you, but they also attracted more customers who were “hungry” for this high quality and healthier food. More and more I was seeing menus featuring “Locally Raised…” or “Locally Grown…” Already deep into book two, I was moved to write a third book about supporting locally grown, raised and produced foods right here in central PA.
I’m so excited to announce growing LOCAL! An Adventurer’s Guide for the Modern Hunter Gatherer; Farmers’ Markets, Family Farms and Eating Fresh in Central Pennsylvania.
Where going LOCAL! A Second Helping is a continuation of supporting locally owned businesses by eating out; this new book will be about eating in – “seeding” into folks the beauty of supporting local farmers and providers to bring it all home so you can eat fresh and well around your own table.
In order to produce these two new books and have them be successful for those I’m writing about as well as myself, I’m going to need some help – either in just getting the word out, funding assistance, or whatever help I can get. I’m a one guy operation as you know – writer, publisher (The Indie Press), marketer, distributor, sales person, etc. For growing LOCAL! PASA (PA Association for Sustainable Ag) is interested in helping me in some capacity and I’ve sent feelers out to the PA Dept of Agriculture. But what would really help me right now is support from you by pre-ordering one or both new books.
I have no hang-ups about sharing this kind of stuff, but my first book cost me over $23,000 to produce (I had to get a loan to cover it). I’m expecting these two books to be close to double that amount. If I have any chance of publishing them, I’ll need some major capital to proceed and pre-orders will certainly help. At the very least I hope you will spread the word and forward this to anyone who would be interested. Most of you have been super supportive and I praise God for you. I’ve been blessed beyond what I deserve and am confident that God will continue to provide regardless.
To thank you in advance, all pre-ordered books will be signed and a discount will be offered if a Two Book Set is ordered. All those who support my pre-order offer will be invited to a very special pre-release party (TBA) where you can pick up your books and celebrate with me. For those of you who can’t make the party or are buying for someone out of town, yours will be shipped at a discounted rate. Prices are listed below and payment can be made by check and mailed to me or by PayPal via this website. Note: PayPal orders automatically calculate shipping. I recommend paying by check if you're picking your books up in person.
Thank you for all your past support and for enduring this long announcement, but I had so much to tell you that I just couldn’t do it in a couple sentences (go figure).
I'm looking forward to your support. Thanks Again!
Ken
going LOCAL! A Second Helping $20.00 each
growing LOCAL! An Adventurer’s Guide for the Modern Hunter Gatherer $20.00 each
Two Book Set (one each) $38.00
Please use the order form below if paying by check.
— Downloadable File: Pre-Order Order Form (Checks Only)
Big News to Come!
It's Big! Really Big!
No Fooling :^)
24
Awesome Internet Workshop
If you have an internet site to promote or sell anything, and even if it's an awesome site (like mine), using it to its fullest capacity to reach as many people as possible is key. This woman is a genius!
At a workshop she did at our local visitor's center, she actually projected my website on the big screen as an example of "a really great site." She also commented on my book and how well I did at Barnes & Noble, so I know she really checked it out. She even gave me one of her books because she used my site in her presentation - cool!
So if you want to improve your website exposure, increase traffic, and hopefully sales, you've got to check out her site and buy her books.
18
Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks
Ah… Elk Creek Café + Aleworks, a jewel in an Eden-like valley. Seriously, this place is awesome. I was just there the other night and between the beer and food, I thought about moving to Penns Valley! The vibe there is groovy yet peaceful, fun yet relaxing, simple but intelligent and definitely more artsy than fartsy.
This will be my first book signing there and we hope to pack em in! Please come out and enjoy a place that you will want to return to many times, pick up a book and some as gifts, have a great meal with a great beer to accompany it. As they say down there… “It’s a Valley Thing.”
Thursday, December 18th
4pm to 10pm
Elk Creek Café + Aleworks
100 W. Main St.
Millheim, PA 16854
814-349-8850
17
PA State Tourism Goes Local!
This week the PA State Tourism Office launched the brand new version of their website (the one on all the PA license plates). It’s a narrative format in which they feature four regions of the state and you pick one to hear a story about that region. Well, I was asked to be one of the voices for the Happy Valley region (marked on the map by a football and helmet)! Because this is a seasonal format, and this is the fall season, the emphasis is on Penn State football. But, if you listen through that entire hubbub, they finally get to the “best” part – ME! They give ma a wonderful introduction and I talk about a couple places in my book as well as some cool things to do while in the area. They also have some awesome graphics of my logo and book cover AND plug the my going LOCAL website!!!
PA Adventure.com, the blog version of the new site, is taking excerpts from my book to highlight central PA places to eat and drink. I’m a “Guest Blogger” and every couple weeks they will add a new place that I’ve written about. This link below from August when PA Adventure launched is on Pump Station Café here in Boalsburg.
Wow! This is great exposure for my book and great opportunities for visits for all those places in my book. The more folks who know about my book, the more they’ll buy it, and the more support it will bring to our wonderful locally-owned restaurants, pubs and cafés!
Please take a few minutes and go their website below. Please be patient though, it takes a little bit to get to the “best” part.
Enjoy!
— PA State Website for Happy Valley
— PA Adventures Site for The Pump Station Cafe
13
Brews in the Barn
Raise a glass for the arts!
This Saturday, The Millbrook Playhouse will be hosting their first ever Brews in the Barn beer festival. Let’s face it, the arts need help. As an artist/author, I know all too well the challenges of making ends meet by pursuing a passion in the arts. A playhouse with all kinds of expenses, let alone one in an old barn, must have a tough time keeping it all going. Plus, trying to provide the community with quality shows and entertainment requires support outside their own means. Thank goodness for some locals who love the arts and love the art of beer making!
Brews in the Barn is a total fundraiser. 100% of the ticket price will go directly to The Millbrook Playhouse which is governed by a non-profit corporation with a volunteer board of directors. Please come, buy a ticket, raise a glass, and help continue this unique barn theatre, having operated as a professional summer stock theatre since 1963.
Cheers!
FYI: Otto’s, Elk Creek & Bullfrog breweries will be there among others!
Brews in the Barn – a beer tasting event
Saturday, September 13th 2008
4pm - 8pm
All Tickets: $35 and can be purchased through the website below
Admission Includes:
*Live Entertainment
*Picnic Style Dinner
*Souvenir Beer Glass
Samples of hundreds of beers including local micro-breweries.
— Playhouse Website
— Purchase Tickets
— Find the Playhouse
13
Indie-Bound Fest at East-West
East-West Crossings is a wonderful tea house, bookstore, and art gallery that I feature in my book. Starting this September they're beginning a series of events and activities called Indie-Bound Festival at East-West recognizing local artists, musicians, writers, poets and scholars. These events include performances, discussions, lectures, book-signings and exhibits. They’re doing this to bring together the many dimensions of the immense talent in the centre region. Their efforts are inspired by the initiatives of the American Book Association to recognize and promote independent booksellers and local community-oriented businesses such as East-West Crossings.
This Saturday the 13th I will be there with my book doing a signing and talk. I encourage you to come by, pick up a book for yourself or as a gift, enjoy an amazing tea, and stroll through the bookstore and gallery.
All “Indie-Bound Festival” events this fall will be announced on their website which is posted below.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of you this Saturday!
East-West Crossing
12 noon to 2 pm
09
Nittany Valley Writers Network
“The Nittany Valley Writers Network is a sharing, supportive, inspiring community linking local writers of all genres and levels of experience: expert and novice . . . published and hopeful.” This is a quote from their website which I feel says it all.
I came to this group as a novice writer seeking help, direction, connections and inspiration. I found all that, plus a great group of folks who made me feel welcomed. Jack Williams, an old friend of mine, invited me to my first meeting where I sheepishly told of an idea I had for a book about local eateries. Everyone was interested and gave me ideas on how I might find everything from basic writing style help to getting an editor. I went to several meetings, gleaned what I could, and like the indie I am, set out on my own.
Now a little over a year later I’ve been asked to come back to the group as a publish author and guest speaker! What an honor. It’s so cool that I get to speak to and inspire the very group that inspired and helped me. Please come and hear about the inspiration, the time, and the ins and outs of the process for writing a book about my culinary journeys in Central Pennsylvania.
Tuesday September 2nd
7pm
Schlow Centre Region Library, 200 S. Allen Street, State College
05
02
Boalsburg Farmers Market
Tuesdays is the annual outdoor Boalsburg Farmers Market held at the PA 28th Division Military Museum grounds. This year I'll be a guest there once a month through the end of October. I'll post my dates two months out.
Something else that is new for this year is an Artists Day which will happen September 2nd.
This Market has all the wonderful offerings as its sister event in State College but without the congestion and parking problems.
Please come this week and every Tuesday to fill your eco-friendly, re-usable bags with organic, farm fresh, lovingly grown and produced goodness from the heart of the land we’ve been given to care for, enjoy and live from.
Boalsburg Farmers Market
PA 28th Division Military Museum along business Rt. 322
Tuesdays from 2pm to 6pm
— Slow Food Website
— Find the Museum Grounds
13
Front Page News Again!
Wow! I was blown away when my local paper the Centre Daily Times featured me on the front cover of their Living section. I knew an article was in the works by a lovely young woman Jennie Daley, a freelance writer I met at a friend’s place, but didn’t know when in would appear and how big it would be. Well the timing was perfect – right before my book signing at Barnes & Noble – and the size of the piece was HUGE!
A big thank you to the CDT, Jennie and photographer Nabil Mark.
04
Great Posting on Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Website!
From Denny's website:
"Author Ken Hull stopped by the Pub on April 4th for a book signing, "Going Local: An Adventurer's Guide to Uniqe Eats, Cool Pubs and Cozy Cafes of Central Pennsylvania" is a great read. For more information check out his website."
That along with the photo was posted by Logan, Denny's web guy. This is just one more example of how cool and supportive these folks in Clearfield are. I love this place and you will too.
— Denny's Website
— Map to Denny's
14
Front Page News!!!
Wow! Friday March 14th the Lock Haven Express did a front page feature story on my book! Matt Connor wrote a really great piece and the response by the community was amazing and I had two book signings there on Saturday the 15th. D. Dashem Books, a little locally owned bookstore on Main St. hosted the first one and folks really came out. Donna and Karen the owners treated me so well and the event was a huge success for both of us.
Later that evening Donnie Powers of The Old Corner Grill and Pub had me at his place for a signing and that one was great too! His place is normally buzzing with happy patrons and this evening was no exception. I sold a bunch of books and enjoyed a great dinner while talking with folks and having a fun time.
15
Governor Rendell goes LOCAL!
I had a great opportunity to give a copy of my book to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell at a press conference at the capital. I was there along with many other citizens from across PA to support him in his legislation for a health care reform bill called Cover All Pennsylvanians CAP (link below). This is an amazing effort by our Governor to bring health care to everyone in the state no matter what. He is passionate about our health and getting the care we need – especially those who can’t afford it like me. Please support him and all those who need proper health care in Pennsylvania. And, maybe you’ll see him enjoying some good eats or beer at one of the places in my book!
— Rendell's Health Care Reform website
12
Anne Quinn Corr honors my book in the Centre Daily Times
Anne Quinn Corr, a local food guru, celebrated author and just a cool person came to my book release party at Herwig’s. She bought a book and took the time to chat with me over a beer from Otto’s. She left, and I was honored to have had her attend my event and buy a book to boot!
Well this morning my mom calls me and says “Hey son, nice spread in the paper.” I said “What, what spread?” She then went on to tell me of this huge photo spread and nice article that Ann Quinn Corr wrote. I was super excited and bolted to the unimart in my jammies just to check it out.
Sure enough, there was practically a whole page with huge photos that Ann must have taken with some sort of “James Bond” camera hidden in a mini telephone. Oh wait. Uh, I think that’s a cell phone (don’t have one). Anyway, I didn’t know she was taking my picture or planning to submit such a grand piece to the CDT.
I’ve included the link, but it is in no way what the real paper one was. If you can get a copy you’ll see.
Thank you Anne!
(I’ve put her book in my Cool Links)
03
going LOCAL! on TV!!!
Monday December 3rd at 5:30 pm me and my book going LOCAL! was featured on a weekly PBS TV show called Pennsylvania Inside Out. This is a show produced and hosted by local Patty Satalia and WPSX here at Penn State.
The interview was literally 15 minutes after I had a real copy of my book. I was sweating bullets waiting for one book to arrive via FedEx so that I would have it for the show. Host Patty Satalia was very cool and asked great questions even though she had only a .pdf file to read from days before.
— PA Inside Out, Internet Stream of Show
19
I'm on WPSU!
Starting the week of Nov.19th, going LOCAL! hits the airwaves of WPSU radio in an underwriting ad campaign. Please listen. Please support.
